The Tai Dam Bible

Des Moines Mennonite Church is pleased to release for internet use a Tai Dam language translation of the New Testament. This release is the product of work of former associate pastor Ha Baccam and his wife La.

The Baccams came to the U.S. in 1976 first locating in Washington, Iowa with their young family, then moved to Des Moines in 1978. After a course of pastoral study furnished by Hesston College and guided by then pastor Paul H. Martin, Ha Baccam became licensed as a minister in 1984 and appointed associate pastor for the Des Moines Mennonite congregation. Rev. Baccam was ordained in 1986. Because of the Southeast Asian refugee resettlement effort, the congregation found that half or more of its numbers were Asian at that time.

Ha and La became acutely aware of the need for a New Testament in the Tai Dam language in their roles with the congregation. A Wycliffe Tai Dam Bible translation was also underway and a long mutual relationship with Jay Fippinger of Wycliffe staff has benefited both the Wycliffe work and the Baccams work. Because the Wycliffe product would not be available for several years, the Baccams chose to move forward with their own Tai Dam translation. Assistance of Jim Brasse and Jay Fippinger has been of long standing, invaluable support to the Baccams in the process.

La and Ha Baccam

Ha and La Baccam used their knowledge of New Testament texts in five languages in preparing the new Tai Dam translation: English, Laotian, Thai, French, and Vietnamese. His requirements in preparation were that the new translation had to be short, clear, capable of good understanding, and meaningful. The editing process involved consultation with various colleagues knowledgeable in Tai Dam language and culture. La Baccam produced the typing using at least three versions of Apple computers since the translation work began.

The Baccams' early hope of returning to Vietnam with hardcopies of the New Testament to distribute have been dashed by the fact the government of Vietnam curbs development of new churches especially in rural Vietnam as well as complications of the Baccams' own health.

Des Moines Mennonite Church and the Baccams are grateful for years of support for the Translation Project by the Central Plains Mennonite (formerly Iowa-Nebraska) Conference, Mennonite Board of Missions, Manson Mennonite Church and by several Sunday school classes of Mennonite churches in central and eastern Iowa. May this release of the Tai Dam New Testament translation be pleasing in God's sight and an answer to the prayers of so many who have awaited its availability.

The electronic documents contain no reference to its authorship nor copyright status. This was a conscious choice made so that the material could move freely internationally via the internet without being limited by confusion about appropriate use of the material. We are also aware that being in possession of Tai Dam scriptures in some places in Southeast Asia is a very serious matter, so no names or copyright are affixed to the downloadable text.